Brilio.net - Bay leaves are a mainstay spice in a number of home dishes. This leaf is often mixed with dishes such as orek tempeh, vegetable soup, meat stews, pepes, and many more. Bay leaves give off a strong fragrant aroma, making dishes more appetizing.
Bay leaves are also easy to find on the market. You can buy it directly in large quantities to stock cooking ingredients at home. However, before buying lots of bay leaves, you should first know how to store them. The reason is, bay leaves can dry and turn black if they are not stored properly, you know.
Many people choose to soak the leaves in a container filled with water, then put them in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and green. However, unlike netizens on the TikTok account @nanda_dapurddn, this woman admits that there are other ways to store bay leaves so they don't dry out and turn black even if they aren't soaked in water, you know.
"Those that have been stored for more than a month are still fresh and clean," he said, quoted by BrilioFood from TikTok @nanda_dapurddn on Wednesday (28/2).
How to store bay leaves so they don't dry out and turn black
First, separate the bay leaves from the stems and stems. Then, wash the bay leaves thoroughly under running water. Once clean, dry the bay leaves with a clean tissue or napkin.
photo: TikTok/@nanda_dapurddn
Next, put the bay leaves in a plastic ziplock. You can also use other types of plastic or jars, as long as they are airtight. Finally, store the bay leaves in the freezer. Yup, by storing this method, bay leaves will not dry out easily or turn black within 1 month.
photo: TikTok/@nanda_dapurddn
How about it, it's really easy to store bay leaves, right? Taking a peek at @nanda_dapurddn's TikTok upload, not many netizens have left comments, but this video has received a lot of enthusiasm from viewers, namely more than 10 thousand views.
"I prefer to dry buns in the sun rather than put them in the freezer," wrote TikTok @tehholi and the video owner replied, "You can also make buns into dried bay leaves."
Benefits of bay leaves for health.
Using bay leaves is effective in making the aroma of food more fragrant. On the other hand, bay leaves also have a number of health benefits, you know. Here are a number of benefits of bay leaves for health.
1. Contains antioxidants.
Bay leaves contain antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids and tannins, which help fight free radicals in the body and reduce the risk of cell damage and inflammation.
2. Supports digestive health.
Bay leaves have been used in traditional medicine to aid digestion. The active compounds in bay leaves can help stimulate the production of bile which is needed for fat digestion, as well as relieve symptoms such as gas and bloating.
3. Lower blood sugar.
Several studies show that bay leaf extract can help lower blood sugar levels in the blood. This is useful for diabetics or those who have problems with blood sugar control.
4. Improves heart health.
Bay leaves are known to contain compounds such as eugenol, which can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. This can help maintain heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
5. Anti-inflammatory properties.
The active compounds in bay leaves have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation in the body and reduce the risk of diseases related to inflammation, such as arthritis.
6. Contains important nutrients.
Bay leaves contain various important nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, and magnesium, which are important for the general health of the body.
7. Reduce stress.
The aroma of bay leaves is known to have calming properties and can help reduce stress and anxiety levels. This can help improve overall well-being.